diff --git a/src/mesh/Router.cpp b/src/mesh/Router.cpp
index a54dcb976..cceacfe9e 100644
--- a/src/mesh/Router.cpp
+++ b/src/mesh/Router.cpp
@@ -523,8 +523,10 @@ meshtastic_Routing_Error perhapsEncode(meshtastic_MeshPacket *p)
         // is not in the local nodedb
         // First, only PKC encrypt packets we are originating
         if (isFromUs(p) &&
-            // Don't use PKC with simulator
-            radioType != SIM_RADIO &&
+#if ARCH_PORTDUINO
+            // Sim radio via the cli flag skips PKC
+            !portduino_config.force_simradio &&
+#endif
             // Don't use PKC with Ham mode
             !owner.is_licensed &&
             // Don't use PKC if it's not explicitly requested and a non-primary channel is requested
diff --git a/src/platform/portduino/PortduinoGlue.cpp b/src/platform/portduino/PortduinoGlue.cpp
index ac4e79af1..3753c944c 100644
--- a/src/platform/portduino/PortduinoGlue.cpp
+++ b/src/platform/portduino/PortduinoGlue.cpp
@@ -34,7 +34,6 @@ std::ofstream traceFile;
 Ch341Hal *ch341Hal = nullptr;
 char *configPath = nullptr;
 char *optionMac = nullptr;
-bool forceSimulated = false;
 bool verboseEnabled = false;
 
 const char *argp_program_version = optstr(APP_VERSION);
@@ -67,7 +66,7 @@ static error_t parse_opt(int key, char *arg, struct argp_state *state)
         configPath = arg;
         break;
     case 's':
-        forceSimulated = true;
+        portduino_config.force_simradio = true;
         break;
     case 'h':
         optionMac = arg;
@@ -190,7 +189,7 @@ void portduinoSetup()
 
     YAML::Node yamlConfig;
 
-    if (forceSimulated == true) {
+    if (portduino_config.force_simradio == true) {
         settingsMap[use_simradio] = true;
     } else if (configPath != nullptr) {
         if (loadConfig(configPath)) {
diff --git a/src/platform/portduino/PortduinoGlue.h b/src/platform/portduino/PortduinoGlue.h
index 64277322a..6e450c90e 100644
--- a/src/platform/portduino/PortduinoGlue.h
+++ b/src/platform/portduino/PortduinoGlue.h
@@ -134,4 +134,5 @@ extern struct portduino_config_struct {
     bool has_rfswitch_table = false;
     uint32_t rfswitch_dio_pins[5] = {RADIOLIB_NC, RADIOLIB_NC, RADIOLIB_NC, RADIOLIB_NC, RADIOLIB_NC};
     Module::RfSwitchMode_t rfswitch_table[8];
+    bool force_simradio = false;
 } portduino_config;
\ No newline at end of file